Transcript Highlights:

• , I've spent much of my last four years, ever since the rise of generative AI, developing research tools
• My tools, Glaze and Nightshade, have been downloaded over 13 million times across the globe, something
• I actually first heard about Professor Zhao from IOTC members who were using the tools he mentioned to
• You should look up his tools; they're pretty incredible.
• allows artists to put basically a protective mechanism on their work so that if it's used in an AI tool

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard three Assembly bills. AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require developers to let copyright holders query whether their works were used to train generative AI systems. Supporters, including voice actors, artists, labor groups, and Professor Ben Zhao, argued the bill is a narrow transparency measure that helps creators protect their rights and that the underlying technology is feasible. Opponents, including business and tech groups, argued the bill goes ahead of unsettled copyright law, is technically difficult to implement at scale, and could burden startups. The author accepted committee amendments narrowing the bill, and the committee voted 6-2 to pass it as amended to the Judiciary Committee. AB 2448 by Assembly Member Berman would require electronic health record vendors to implement technical safeguards that help providers protect sensitive reproductive and gender-affirming care information. Planned Parenthood affiliates, the Attorney General’s office, and other supporters said the bill clarifies existing law and strengthens patient privacy amid threats to reproductive care access. There was no opposition testimony. The committee voted 7-1 to pass the bill to the Health Committee. AB 2561 by Assembly Member Valencia would prohibit changes to consumers’ privacy settings without their consent, aiming to prevent apps and software updates from resetting user preferences. CalChamber and TechNet representatives said they now supported the bill after the author accepted their amendments. The committee voted 8-0 to pass AB 2561. The hearing included multiple roll calls as quorum was established and bills were held on call before final votes were taken, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is restore accountability, transparency, and voter consent to a financing tool that has
• Accountability, transparency, and voter consent to a financing tool that, by its own history, has drifted
• So, Representative Hill's point is it to effectively remove this tool for our local municipalities if
• This doesn't remove the tool. This allows for transparency and accountability.
• And a lot of these are smaller towns that are doing everything they can, using every tool and resource

Bills: HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, unclaimed property, service charges, property fund, accountability, government transparency, local development, economic impact, voter approval, tax increment financing, review committee, public finance, blight, salary increase, bonus limits, job performance

Transcript Highlights:

• The breaching tool, we recommend the standard Halligan tool that the fire department uses.
• So that is the biggest tool.
• This was a retention tool. This was a support tool.
• Early intervention is a great tool.
• Another tool. Yes, another tool and a toolbox with a little more teeth. Yes, ma'am.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• drug courts who shared my belief that we owe it to our kids to provide them with the information and tools
• them with the kids to provide them with the information<00:04:23.280> and<00:04:23.440> tools
• <00:04:23.919> they<00:04:24.040> need<00:04:24.320> to information and tools
• Minnesota with the knowledge and tools Minnesota with the knowledge and tools they<00:10:27.800>
• in the DWS system rate setting tools in the DWS system the<00:28:59.120> core<00:28:59.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's another valuable tool that can prevent folks that have been determined to have a problem.
• And I will also say illegal gambling is the greatest tool any transnational organized crime group or
• Illegal offshore sites are the greatest tool that they could ever have to wash their dirty money.
• And I will also say illegal gambling is the greatest tool any transnational organized crime group or
• Illegal offshore sites are the greatest tool that they could ever have to wash their dirty money.

Bills: SCR145, SCR132, SCR31, SCR110

Keywords: traffic violations, demerit point system, driver license points, traffic safety, hit and run, reckless driving, repeat offenders, recidivism, Department of Transportation, DOT, task force, traffic enforcement, road safety, vehicle code, license suspension, county police, Hawaii transportation, SCR132, Senate Concurrent Resolution, Makakilo Drive Extension

Transcript Highlights:

• Those tools are in place, and that we've achieved fidelity before the rates go live in 2027.
• Phase two guidance will include alignment of the actual CANS tool and the automation solutions.
• A unified CANS tool will also support robust outcome measurements.
• Can we speak more about the issue of making sure that we are using this same CANS tool?
• And so for our county social workers, it is a tool in their toolbox to help the family.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up will be Jeff Washburn, if you're with us virtually. tool in the box per se.
• And that is my tool in the box per se.
• c><00:08:23.520> really<00:08:23.840> use<00:08:24.080> this<00:08:24.319> tool
• <00:08:25.280> to and where we can really use this tool to and where we can really use this
• tool to help<00:08:26.720> uh<00:08:26.879> get<00:08:27.360> younger<00:08:27.759

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, PSFA staff of RPMs uses this tool routinely.
• behalf of the PSFA, we'd like to extend our sincerest apologies for these delays in providing this tool
• Chair, if I may, really quick, um, we've created a timeline to full implementation for this tool, um,
• of work together hand in hand, and I know many of our other departments, including finance, use the tool
• So that might be a useful tool.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's certainly been my hope that all of these tools are providing at least some greater transparency
• It is night and day different today, the tools that the state has to bring to bear.
• It is night and day different today, the tools that the state has to bring to bear.
• And if we had the tool of the penalty, we could take it back.
• So I feel like if we had used these tools, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing on managing the transportation fuels transition, with a focus on gasoline prices, supply reliability, refinery closures, and the implementation of recent transparency and market oversight laws. Chair Allen opened by citing SB 1322 and special session measures that expanded reporting to the California Energy Commission (CEC), authorized possible refining margin caps, and required minimum inventory and resupply planning. He framed the hearing around rising fuel costs, refinery shutdowns, global supply disruptions, and the need to ensure affordable and reliable fuel during the transition to cleaner transportation. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda described California’s growing dependence on imports as in-state refining declines, noting that gasoline production has fallen and imports now supply a large share of the market. He said the state has substantial marine import capacity and that the proposed Gateway Pipeline could improve connectivity to the Gulf Coast, but emphasized that distribution and storage remain key constraints. Gunda also said the CEC’s new “days of supply” metric suggests inventories remain within historical ranges, and he attributed recent price increases largely to global crude oil shocks, refinery outages, and the war in Iran. He said taxes and environmental costs have remained relatively stable, while crude costs and industry margins have risen. CDTFA Chief Deputy Director Gentian Droboniku focused on retail pricing, saying widening retail margins and growing price dispersion indicate that retail business models and pricing strategies are increasingly driving pump prices. He highlighted the growth of hypermarts and unbranded stations, the widening gap between branded and unbranded prices, and future work on ownership concentration and algorithmic pricing. Ty Milder of the Department of Petroleum Market Oversight said the Iran conflict is the largest global oil supply disruption in history and that California’s recent price increases largely track national and crude price movements, unlike earlier localized spikes that lacked input-cost justification. He said branded stations, especially major brands, have charged substantially more than nearby competitors, and that the “mystery gasoline surcharge” that appeared after the Torrance refinery fire is still under investigation. Milder also pointed to high diesel spreads, limited market liquidity, and the need for more transparency in spot pricing. Matthew Boutill of CARB said the state’s long-term goals remain deep greenhouse gas reductions and carbon neutrality by 2045, with transportation fuel transition strategies aimed at cleaner fuels, zero-emission vehicles, and support for workers and communities. In questioning, Senators Caballero and Richardson pressed agency witnesses for clearer, more concrete explanations of what the transition will look like in practice, how many refineries California will still need, and what the impacts of increased imports will be on ports, trucking, storage, and local communities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have all the tools for predictive analytics, but that's what we're doing.
• That designation gave us additional administrative tools to act on those programs.
• It is a tool, as I've said, that I am leaning into to shut off money at the soonest sign of fraud.
• We need to step up and give these guys the tools that they need. To do their job.
• We need to give them the tools to do it. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I keep hearing the word recruiting tool, or the term recruiting tool.
• I do not have the tools to do what I've been assigned to do.
• I need access to certain tools like NCIC.
• You really need access to these tools, and horror stories can occur.
• That's what can happen when you try to do a criminal investigation without the tools, the requisite tools

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• other things that allow individuals to make conscious decisions that are poor that also give them the tools
• other things that allow individuals to make conscious decisions that are poor that also give them the tools
• also<00:15:36.120> give<00:15:36.360> them<00:15:36.560> the<00:15:36.640> tools
• /c><00:15:37.000> they<00:15:37.120> need<00:15:37.720> to also give them the tools
• they need to also give them the tools they need to escape<00:15:38.760> to<00:15:38.959> school

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B. A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers. Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze have become increasingly powerful tools.
• Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze have become increasingly powerful tools.
• Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze have become increasingly powerful tools.
• We need the tools to keep our kids safe. I respectfully urge you to vote aye for AB 2595.
• We need the tools to keep our kids safe. I respectfully urge you to vote A4I for AB-2595.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ability to bring in these new manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, we want to empower them with that tool
• Tourism improvement areas, or TIAs, are a proven, market-driven tool used successfully in hundreds of
• HB 2950 gives Arizona communities the option to use that tool that already works across the country.
• This is a rural economic development tool, not a big city program.
• And I come from destinations that have already created this tool, and that's where we saw the biggest

Bills: HB2091, HB2140, HB2320, HB2384, HB2398, HB2502, HB2780, HB2918, HB2939, HB2950, HB2999, HB4020, HB4026, HB4029

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the minutes from March 16, 2026, then heard testimony on a series of bills, with the chair noting that testimony and votes would be handled in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would raise the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion. Lucid Motors supported the change as a tool to attract manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, while opponents questioned whether the higher credit would actually create new jobs and pointed to a fiscal note that could reach $48 million. The committee later passed the bill 5-2. HB 2950 would authorize municipalities and counties to form tourism improvement areas funded by lodging business assessments for marketing and tourism promotion. The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix supported the measure, describing TIAs as voluntary, locally controlled tools already used in other states and useful for rural destinations; senators pressed on whether the assessments were truly voluntary and how the districts would be formed and administered. The bill passed 5-2. HB 2780, a technical cleanup bill related to property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sales, was described as conforming changes to a prior law creating a mechanism for delinquent taxpayers to recover equity; it passed 6-1. HB 2502 would allow certain ASRS members who are elected officials to retire at normal retirement age without resigning their elected office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate. ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor and a lobbyist argued the bill would create parity with non-elected members who can retire and return to work; the committee passed it 5-2. HB 2140, as amended by a striker, would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% of trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and Sound Money Defense League supported it as a diversification and inflation hedge, while opponents argued gold is volatile, costly to store, and not a better use of taxpayer funds; the committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-2. HB 2398 would require commercial liability insurance for watercraft rented or hired in Arizona, including peer-to-peer boat-sharing programs, while not affecting ordinary personal boat ownership. The sponsor, insurers, and rental operators said the bill responds to uninsured boats being rented through apps and to safety and liability problems; some members said training should also be addressed. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 6-1. Finally, HB 2999 would create state affordable infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure for housing through bonds, taxes, and assessments, with unanimous landowner consent and disclosure requirements. Home builders and contractors said the districts could lower upfront housing costs and improve financing, but contractors sought stronger payment protections and some senators worried the bill could add red tape and costs without guaranteeing savings to homebuyers. After adopting a large amendment, the committee passed HB 2999, though at least one member voted no and another passed on the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have then use this as a tool to help people understand the relative value of a credential they
• But really, we wanted a decision-making tool for them.
• And then also, as we're visiting with offices, this is a new tool.
• You have a great accountability tool. I love it. find anything.
• Higher education is just the tool that we use for this.

Keywords: 1184, house, all